With California voters readying to consider whether to retain the death penalty, two prominent district attorneys, including San Mateo County’s, are mounting a rebel legal campaign to kick-start executions in San Quentin’s long-dormant death chamber.

As a judgment looms for suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, he and his supporters are making eleventh-hour pleas for his political future… After a series of misconduct proceedings that ended in the mayor’s favor, Mirkarimi now faces a Board of Supervisors hearing on whether he should be removed from office permanently. And the notably voluble Mirkarimi isn’t going to go down without a fight.

Muni’s frustrating service problems can be blamed on many factors, among them a chronic shortage of operators, an unreliable fleet of aging streetcars, and buses and schedules that don’t always mesh with the realities of San Francisco’s congested streets. Another? Paper and pens.

With the national conventions over and the presidential campaigns ramping up, California’s most politically independent city is a bellwether for what independents — the ultimate swing voters — are thinking. And they aren’t terribly impressed.

… Organizers said participation was significantly down from last year, when 5,221 people registered for the event and about $800,000 was raised. While final registration and fundraising numbers – including same-day signups – won’t be released until Monday, Executive Director Maria Sousa said 2,692 people had registered for the race when they shut down online signups this week.

Cal Fire aerial bombers played a critical role Sunday in slowing down a fire that was burning in steep, rugged terrain east of Ukiah. As of Sunday night, the fire was only 15 percent contained and had consumed 4,100 acres in an area bordered by Scotts Valley Road, Highway 20 and the north Cow Mountain Recreation Area.

The Point Reyes National Seashore, which provides solace and solitude for millions of people annually against the backdrop of redwood groves, rolling surf along long stretches of beaches and a vibrant array of wildlife and plants, is turning 50 years old this week.